Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew

Ingredients

2 1/2 lb beef chuck
2-3 Tb olive oil
1 1/2 C carrots
1 C celery
1 C yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 C baby Yukon gold potatoes, roughly 1 1/2lb
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 1/2 tsp salt
12 oz Guinness
3 C beef broth
1/4 C tomato paste
2 bay leaves
2 Tb cornstarch
2 Tb water
7 oz peas, drained
Chives, optional garnish

Directions

Trim beef of any fat and cut into 1-inch pieces. Pat dry with paper towels and lightly season with salt and pepper. Heat olive olive in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Sear beef cubes on all sides. Transfer cooked beef to the bottom of a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Repeat with remaining beef.

Prepare vegetables; slice carrots and celery into 1/2-inch slices. Chop onion and mince garlic. Cut baby potatoes in half. Transfer prepared vegetables to the slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and dried thyme. Whisk together beef broth and tomato paste. Pour broth mixture and Guinness into the slow cooker. Add bay leaves. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.

When initial cook time is up, whisk combine cornstarch and water. Transfer to the slow cooker. Remove and discard bay leaves. Return lid and continue cooking for an additional 30-45 minutes.

Prior to serving, stir in peas.

Serve with optional chives and black pepper.